DECIPHERING THE POTENTIAL OF FAECALIBACTERIUM PRAUSNITZII, A PUTATIVE PSYCHOBIOTIC, ON ANIMAL WELL-BEING AND BEHAVIOR IN DAIRY CATTLE

The overall goal of this research is to determine if Faecalibacterim prausnitzii when used in calves can alter the immune response, reduce stress-induced responses and have lasting effects on positive behavior in dairy cattle. We hypothesize that perturbing gut microbiota (dysbiosis) early in dairy calves' lives may induce systemic changes leading to alterations in behavior and that supplementation with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a butyrate producing bacterium may prevent microbial dysbiosis and reduce stress-induced behaviors thus improving health, well-being, and welfare.